Free Republic

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2006 – A former illegal alien from Iran who now is an American citizen is showing his love and appreciation for what his adopted country has done for him by building a memorial to honor servicemembers who have died in the global war on terrorism. Rocky Shifflett, 12, of Fairfax, Va., holds a sign along Route 28 in Manassas, Va., inviting passersby to attend a June 28 candlelight vigil honoring the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan at the Silent Thunder Memorial for Freedom in Manassas, Va. With him is Kevin Roustazad, creator of the memorial. Photo...

MANASSAS, Va., July 2, 2006 – Under the cover of darkness, more than 100 people lit candles June 28 during a vigil at the Silent Thunder Memorial for Freedom here, which is being built to honor the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan. Kevin Roustazad, creator of the Silent Thunder Memorial for Freedom, chats with Beth Jones, 17, a member of the Navy Junior ROTC at Osbourn Park Senior High School in Manassas, Va., where she's a senior. Jones is holding the folded American flag for a June 28 candlelight vigil ceremony at the memorial. Photo by Rudi Williams  (Click photo...